Willie Revillame and others sued for child abuse

Controversial primetime TV variety host Willie Revillame and executives of his home network, TV5, were sued for child abuse by a child rights group. This action was brought upon by a "Willing Willie" episode, which Willie hosts, where a six-year-old boy, Jan-Jan Suan, was made to dance as a macho dancer in front of a cheering audience amidst the child's tears. The suit was filed by Stop Child Rights Exploitation in Media.

The TV5 executives sued were TV5 owner Manuel V. Pangilinan, TV5 president and chief executive officer Rey Espinosa, TV5 executive vice president and chief operating officer Roberto Barreiro, TV director Jojo Jardeleza, executive producer Rackie Sevilla, and segment producer Adrian Gret. According to the child rights group, the persons named were in violation of Republic Act 7610 (Anti-Child Abuse Law), RA 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009), and RA 9231 (Act Providing for the Elimination of the Worst Form of Child Labor of 2003).

"Willing Willie" is still currently on hiatus from primetime viewership following the public clamor over the incident.

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Willie Revillame and his show Willing Willie will be off air for two weeks

Controversial TV personality Willie Revillame is reported to go on a two-week hiatus following the alleged on-air child abuse of a six-year old Jan Jan Suan on a March 12, 2011 episode of his primetime show Willing Willie aired on the Kapatid network TV5. Jan Jan Suan was made to dance like a macho dancer while obviously distraught and in tears while everyone laughed, cheered and jeered on him. The scandal led to several advertisers pulling out of the show and calls from several concerned citizens, celebrities included, and government agencies to sanction/impose on its host and the program changes to protect the civil liberties of children.

Starting tomorrow, pretaped Willing Willie episodes will be aired by the Kapatid network.

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